Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Campus Updates
Commencement and Degree Celebrations
George Mason Commencement and Degree Celebrations are coming soon. Spring Commencement will take place on Thursday, May 15, at 9:30 a.m. in EagleBank Arena. Degree Celebrations on May 14–17 will honor individual graduates as they cross the stage. University Events is seeking faculty and staff volunteers to help with the events. Sign up today. Contact University Events with questions.
Community College and High School Graduation Ceremonies at EagleBank Arena
Heavy traffic is expected on and around George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus for regional community college and high school graduation ceremonies at EagleBank Arena from May 12 through June 16.
Northern Virginia Community College's Commencement will take place at EagleBank Arena on Monday, May 12, at 11 a.m.
High school graduation ceremonies start at EagleBank Arena on Tuesday, May 27, and continue through Monday, June 16. EagleBank Arena will host up to three ceremonies each day, so traffic may be entering and exiting campus from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. Please allow extra travel time on and around campus. View the full schedule.
George Mason faculty, staff, and students are advised to use the general permit area of the Rappahannock Parking Deck or the Field House parking lots to avoid delays. Shenandoah Parking Deck (levels 4 and 5) will be open for limited overflow student, employee, and event parking on weekdays when graduations occur.
Patriot Packout Happening through May 14
Patriot Packout is an opportunity to donate like-new and gently used items at the Fairfax Campus, Science and Technology Campus, and the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation. During residential move-out, Patriot Packout diverts items from the waste stream and makes them available to those who can use them. Learn about accepted donation items, campus drop-off locations, and volunteer opportunities.
Students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcome to donate items. Donations are redistributed to George Mason Patriots, on-campus resources, and local community organizations, preventing useful items from ending up in the trash. Patriot Packout’s donations this spring will support the Patriot Pantry, Trans Clothing Closet, Art Supply Sharing Cabinet, First Gen+ Center, The MIX, Parking and Transportation's bike programs, and Food for Others, and more.
Open Enrollment Is Coming Soon: Drop-in Information Sessions
It’s almost time to make important choices about your benefits for the upcoming year. Open Enrollment starts Friday, May 16, and ends Friday, May 30, so be sure to mark your calendar. This is your annual opportunity to:
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Review and update your health insurance
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Add or remove dependents
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Choose new benefits or make changes to existing ones
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Take advantage of flexible spending accounts Health FSA and Dependent FSA
Drop-in information sessions will be hosted from May 19–30 across multiple campuses and virtually. Be sure to read the Spotlight publication or visit the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management’s (DHRM) Open Enrollment page for the enrollment form, summary of benefits coverage, and much more information.
For questions, contact benefits@gmu.edu.
Degree and Certificate Milestones: Let’s Celebrate Your Success
George Mason classified staff, A/P faculty, I/R faculty, adjunct faculty, and non-student wage employees are invited to share information regarding degrees or certificates (trade certification/license, associate's, bachelor's, master's, graduate certificate, doctorate, etc.) that they have earned during this current academic year. Human Resources would like to share the great news and feature stories of George Mason faculty and staff who are seeking continual education and professional development.
Complete the Celebrate Degree/Certificate Milestones Survey by Friday, May 16, and the Faculty and Staff Engagement team will follow up with you on your successes! For questions, contact awards@gmu.edu.
Summer Shuttle Schedule Effective May 19
The summer schedule for Mason Shuttles goes into effect on Monday, May 19. Check the schedule for specific routes. There will be no shuttle service on the following holidays:
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Memorial Day (Monday, May 26)
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Juneteenth (Thursday, June 19)
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Independence Day (Friday, July 4)
Contact shuttle@gmu.edu with questions.
Professional Clothing Closet: Donations Needed
The Professional Clothing Closet allows students in the College of Education and Human Development to rent clothes to wear to their internships or job interviews. The EDSE Council, a Special Education Program student organization, opened the closet due thanks to donations from the George Mason community. Read more about the program. Items are needed to help support the operations of the clothing closet. The following items are needed:
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Clothes hangers
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Shoe organizers
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Clothing racks
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Plastic storage bins for clothing
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Full-length mirror
Donation items can be placed in the donation bin on the Fairfax Campus in the Finley Building outside Room 116B. If a donation is large, like a plastic bin, place it by the donation bin with a "donation" label on the item.
Training and Professional Development
Reminders: Canvas Training and Blackboard Storage
Canvas Training
Starting in summer 2025, all courses will use Canvas as the university’s official learning management system (LMS). Instructors who have not yet participated in Canvas training, or have not begun this transition, should visit the "Are You Canvas Ready?" website for valuable information, resources, and checklists.
Blackboard Storage
Before July 15, users are strongly encouraged to download and save any materials from Blackboard that they may want or need to keep. Once Blackboard access ends, these materials will no longer be available. You will not have access to these courses in Canvas. If you have any questions or need assistance downloading your materials, visit lms.gmu.edu or contact the project team at lms@gmu.edu.
University Life Student Success Symposium
The University Life Student Success Symposium is a chance to connect with colleagues, learn about innovative practices to support your work, and explore strategies to foster student engagement. The symposium will take place at the Fairfax Campus on Wednesday, June 4, with pre-conference sessions on Tuesday, June 3. Get the details and register.
1st Annual Counterterrorism Summit
George Mason University, in partnership with the Government Technology and Services Coalition’s (GTSC) publication Homeland Security Today, will host the inaugural “Counterterrorism 2025: Terrorism Trends, Tactics, and Targets” summit on Tuesday, June 3, at Van Metre Hall at Mason Square in Arlington, Virginia. This full-day event will explore the shifting dynamics of global terrorism and the strategies being developed to confront emerging threats. The summit will feature sessions discussing key terrorism challenges and the evolving tactics of terrorist organizations. Learn more and register.
Resources for You
George Mason with the Washington Spirit
Get your kicks! Patriots are invited to fill Audi Field on Sunday, June 8, for an afternoon of women's soccer as the Washington Spirit take on the North Carolina Courage. Purchase discounted match tickets while supplies last.
Apply for the Faculty and Staff Book Scholarship
George Mason faculty and staff are eligible to apply for the $250 scholarship to cover books, software, and supplies for George Mason courses. Eligibility requirements include:
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Enrolled in a George Mason degree or graduate certificate program
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Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
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At least one year of service at George Mason
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“Successful,” “High-Performing,” or “Outstanding” rating in the most recent performance evaluation
Learn more and apply by May 23. The application includes a 500-word statement on your goals, program of study, and how the scholarship supports your academic journey. Questions? Contact awards@gmu.edu.
First Annual Stearns Center Summer Reading Program
Did you love summer reading programs as a kid? Do you want up to two free books, prizes, and gift cards? Join the Stearns Center’s Summer Reading Program to read books you choose from our list, receive recognition, and earn prizes. Faculty of all appointment types are eligible to participate. Sign up by Monday, May 19, to receive your free book(s). Supply is limited; first-come, first-served.
Great 18th-Century British Baking Challenge
On your marks, get set, bake! University Libraries is hosting a very old-fashioned baking challenge, and the recipes come from the Fairfax-Spencer Family Recipe Book held in George Mason’s Special Collections Research Center.
The event will happen on Wednesday, May 21, from 3–5 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus, Fenwick Library. Try your hand at one of the featured recipes, and bring the results to share—or simply come to taste-test and judge. Register to attend.
Resource Expo for Federal Employees and Contractors
Community members can discover job opportunities, resources, and career-themed workshops at the Next Steps: Resource Expo at Mason Square on Wednesday, May 28, from 12:30–5:30 p.m. More than 40 employers and service providers will be in attendance. Sessions will be available on transferable skills, using AI for a job search, activating your resilience for well-being, and more.
Contact jobseeker@arlingtonva.us with questions. This event is brought to you by Arlington County Government and Employment Center, City of Alexandria Government and Workforce Development Center, George Mason University, and Virginia Career Works Alexandria/Arlington Region. Registration is not required, but is available to you should you wish to receive updates from the event host. Learn more.
Math Enrichment Camps for Grades 6–9
Mason Math Odyssey is a camp for rising 6–9 graders who are curious about math and would like to learn about mathematics concepts typically not taught in K-12 curriculum. Campers will build mathematical maturity while honing problem solving, collaboration, and communication skills. Camps will be hosted from July 7–11 and July 21–25 on the Fairfax Campus. Learn more and register.
Upcoming Performances and Arts Events at George Mason
American Festival Pops Orchestra: Armed Forces Day Celebration
Saturday, May 17, at 8 p.m.
Science and Technology Campus, Hylton Center
Commemorate Armed Forces Day with a patriotic musical tribute performed by the American Festival Pops Orchestra in collaboration with George Mason University’s Veterans and the Arts Initiative. The orchestra will perform a salute to the community’s veterans featuring the music of Barber, Copland, and John Williams, plus other patriotic classics. Special guests Anthony J. Maiello and Darden Purcell join Maestro Wilson and the orchestra.
Northern Virginia Ballet: Peter and the Wolf Plus Paquita
Saturday, May 24, at 4 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Merchant Hall
Join Peter and his animal friends on a mischievous adventure as they attempt to capture the predator wolf. Set to Prokofiev’s famous score, Peter learns to be brave and persistent when confronted with challenges.
Manassas Chorale: Princesses and Pirates
Friday, May 30, at 7:30 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Merchant Hall
Take a musical journey with the Manassas Chorale, its ensemble, orchestra, and the Greater Manassas Children’s Choir as they celebrate the stories of Disney princesses and swash-buckling pirates through music. Greater Manassas Children’s Choir students in grades 2–8 perform alongside adult singers in this exciting musical adventure.
Fairfax Symphony Celebrates Zimmerman's 15th Anniversary
Saturday, May 31, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
This special anniversary season culminates in a heartfelt program that pays tribute to Maestro Zimmerman's debut concert as music director with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra in 2009. Join this special tribute concert celebrating Maestro Zimmerman's remarkable leadership and vision.
Paul Anka in Concert
Saturday, June 28, at 7 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Merchant Hall
Legendary singer and songwriter Paul Anka, who has written for artists ranging from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson, performs his greatest hits, including “Put Your Head On My Shoulder,” “Diana,” “She’s A Lady,” and “My Way.”